20 July 2015

Renee was born in New Zealand and lives and works in Melbourne, Australia After completing Folio Preparation in 2005, Renee went on to complete herBachelor of Fine Art (Hons), at Monash University. As a prolific artist, this will be her seventh solo show. Additionally, Renee has been a member of numerous group exhibitions and collaborations.

The NCAT Folio Preparation students explored street art as a response to environment on their recent extension week. The students worked collaboratively in small groups to produce a broad range of quirky responses using simple materials including chalk, disposable cups, string and paper.

3 July 2015

AS A REQUIREMENT OF THEIR COURSE, THE NCAT CREATE STUDENTS PRESENT THEIR PORTFOLIOS AT MID AND FINAL REVIEWS. PORTFOLIO PRESENTATIONS GIVE STUDENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISPLAY THEIR ARTWORK AND LOOK AT IT AS A BODY OF WORK.

Often a lack of space stifles the ability to look at all the work a student creates and therefore they miss out on seeing an overview of their emerging style, plus identifying strengths and areas for improvement. At mid and final portfolio review, Create students are able to lay out all their work in an allotted area and examine it as a body of work.

Portfolio review also allows students to be actively involved in group-based critiques. Critiquing each other's portfolios helps students to explore the creative process and their experience as a developing artist. The process of group critiquing is about finding a balance between compliment & constructive criticism. Students learn that the criticism is never personal – It is about the portfolio of artworks not the artist. Critiquing should always be balanced, neutral and constructive. Group critiques enable students to build skills by being exposed to different styles, options and approaches. It also assists students to push their responses to art beyond the initial "I like it" to questions of why and how, articulated using art based language.

The Portfolio review whilst initially potentially challenging to some, is an excellent opportunity to build creative confidence.The review process brings together the artworks produced in NCAT Create students' Studio, Digital and Life Drawing classes.

Accompanying their portfolio is a written Artist's Statement and in the final review, a creative resume.

DIPPING YOUR TOE INTO THE WATER

To the disillusioned out there, change is possible! Every year we accept mature age students into our courses from varied backgrounds, who dream of fulfilling their creative urges but just don't know where to start. For them it is all about putting a toe in the water... building skills and confidence, getting exposed to the rich world of art and or design and avoiding the preclusive costs of higher education.